Reusable drinking cup lid stopper and method

ABSTRACT

A reusable stopper for removably engaging a sipping aperture in a removable drinking cup lid and a method for same, the reusable stopper comprising a stopper body having two body ends, a grasping body end that forms a handle and plug body end that forms a tab projection; the stopper body further forms at least double open-ended aperture; wherein the handle is configured to allow an operator to securely grasp and manipulate the reusable stopper; wherein the tab projection is configured to removably seal the sipping aperture; wherein the at least one double open-ended aperture is configured to removable engage a stopper retaining device.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX”

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention may relate to reusable cup lid stoppers. Morespecifically, the present invention may relate to cup lid stoppers thatare configured to be retained by the user to be used multiple times withone or more cup lids.

BACKGROUND

There is a heighten sense of awareness in the general conservation ofresources to reduce the use of petroleum products, such as plastic, inour lives. Some studies have shown the release of plastics into theenvironment may impact humanity in a variety of ways such as providing athat environmental microplastics-human interaction may have a negativehuman fertility. One possible remedial action that can be done on thepersonal level is a reduction of plastic stirrers used for stirringdrinks in take-out drinking cups.

As substantially shown in FIG. 1, drink purveyors (not shown) suchcoffee shops, take-out restaurants and the like may offer to theconsumer public (not shown) take-out drinks contained in containers suchas drinking cups 10 (e.g., single use drinking cups) that may removablyaccept cup lids 12. The drinking cups 10 could comprise a cup body 14having two cup ends, an enclosed cup end 16 and open cup end 18, theopen cup end 18 could connect a cup exterior 20 to a cup interior 22 ,the cup interior 22 generally configured to hold a substance such as aconsumable liquid 24. The cup body 14 may be further configured to besubstantially disposable and recyclable (e.g., generally made fromcellulose or plastic substrate.) The removable cup lid 12 may be appliedto the cup body 14 to generally removably seal the open cup end 18 andto generally help contain the consumable liquid 14 within the cupinterior 22. In at least one embodiment, the said cup lid 12 may be avacuum-formed plastic clamp-over cup lid. The cup lid 12 may furtherdefine a lid rim 26 and proximate to said lid rim 26 may located asipping aperture 28, allowing the consumer to sip liquid 24 placed inthe drinking cup 10.

Additionally, a stirrer 30 (e.g., a plastic stirrer) may be provided forthe consumer use in substantially stirring the liquid 24 or other mixingthe liquid 24 to which additives (e.g., milk, sugar and the like-notshown) have been added. The stirrer 30 may subsequently be placed withinthe sipping aperture 28 to removably seal same and generally prevent thedrink from splashing through the sipping aperture 28 (e.g., during atransportation of the drink.)

The stirrer 30 may comprise a handle 32 separated from an elongatedstirring portion 34 by a flange 36. In this manner, when the elongatedstirring portion 34 is removably placed through the sipping aperture 28to generally contact the liquid 24 contained within the drinking cup 10,the depth of the stirrer 30 within the cup interior 22 could besubstantially controlled by the interaction of the flange 36 upon thecup lid 12. The consumer (not shown), by generally grasping the handle32 and moving about the elongated stirring portion 34 in an opencircular manner, can then swirl and mix the liquid 24. When the drinkstirring is substantially accomplished, the stirrer 30 may be removedfrom the drinking cup and could be discarded. Generally, at the time ofsuch stirrer discardment, the drinking cup 10 removably covered by thecup lid 12 could have been removed from the establishment where thedrink was purchased as well as being remote from any plastic recyclingreceptacles as generally found at such drink establishments. The stirrer30 may instead be then generally disposed through a general wastereceptacle, when done by many drink consumers, may significantly add tothe plastics environmental issue.

One possible resolution to this stirrer waste issue may be the presentinvention, a reusable drinking cup lid stopper and a method for same.The reusable drinking cup lid stopper could comprise a stopper body witha grasping body end (generally) configured to form a handle with apleasing design while the plug body end could form a plug or tabprojection. The tab projection could be configured to be removablyreceived and held though friction fit within the sipping aperture tosubstantially block the sipping aperture and generally prevent passageof liquid from the drinking cup. In this manner, a subsequent swirlingof the drinking cup could mix the drink inside without the need of astirrer.

The stopper body could further feature one or more retention aperturesto removably connect the stopper body to a stopper retention device.This stopper body and stopper retention device combination couldencourage the consumer's retainment and multiuse of the presentinvention as well as act as a child safety device (e.g., substantiallypreventing a child from ingesting or choking upon a generally smallstopper body.)

SUMMARY OF ONE EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Advantages of One or MoreEmbodiments of the Present Invention

The various embodiments of the present invention may, but do notnecessarily, achieve one or more of the following advantages:

the ability to reduce the waste and environmental impact of a commonlyused and discarded plastic item;

provide a cup lid stopper that is non-plastic, reusable plug that may beremovably attached to a key chain and is retained by the operator;

the ability to stir a drink kept within a lidded container without theuse of a stirrer;

provide a reusable drink lid stopper that may removably attached to aretention device that encourages retainment of the stopper by the drinkconsumer;

the ability to allow the invention to act as a child safety device bysubstantially preventing a child from ingesting or choking upon thegenerally small stopper body; and

provide cup lid that removably plugs a sipping aperture of a removablecup lid to prevent leakage of the drink otherwise held within thedrinking cup.

These and other advantages may be realized by reference to the remainingportions of the specification, claims, and abstract.

Brief Description of One Embodiment of the Present Invention

One possible embodiment of the invention could be a reusable stopper forremovably engaging a sipping aperture in a drinking cup lid comprising:a stopper body having two body ends, a grasping body end that forms ahandle and plug body end that forms a tab projection; the stopper bodyfurther forms a double open-ended aperture; wherein the handle isconfigured to allow an operator to securely grasp and manipulate thereusable stopper; wherein the tab projection is configured to removablyseal the sipping aperture; wherein the double open-ended aperture isconfigured to removably engage a stopper retention device.

Another possible embodiment of the invention could be a method ofremovably sealing a drink aperture of a removable lid of a drinking cupcomprising of the following steps: providing a reusable stopper forremovably sealing a sipping aperture in a drinking cup lid, the reusablestopper having a stopper body having two body ends, a grasping body endthat forms a handle and plug body end that forms a tab projection, thestopper body further forms at least one double open-ended aperture,wherein the handle is configured to allow an operator to securely graspand manipulate the reusable stopper; wherein the tab projection isconfigured to removably seal the sipping aperture; wherein the at leastone double open-ended aperture is configured to removably engage astopper retention device; providing a removable drinking cup lid, thesaid lid forming a sipping aperture; and removably inserting the tabprojection into the sipping aperture.

The above description sets forth, rather broadly, a summary of oneembodiment of the present invention so that the detailed descriptionthat follows may be better understood and contributions of the presentinvention to the art may be better appreciated. Some of the embodimentsof the present invention may not include all of the features orcharacteristics listed in the above summary. There are, of course,additional features of the invention that will be described below andwill form the subject matter of claims. In this respect, beforeexplaining at least one preferred embodiment of the invention in detail,it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in itsapplication to the details of the construction and to the arrangement ofthe components set forth in the following description or as illustratedin the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and ofbeing practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to beunderstood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are forthe purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is substantially a perspective cutaway view of a drinking cupremovably sealed by a cup lid, the drinking cup containing a drink aswell as a stirrer.

FIG. 2 is substantially a perspective cutaway view of one embodiment ofthe reusable drinking cup lid stopper of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is substantially perspective view of another embodiment of thereusable drinking cup lid stopper of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is substantially perspective view of yet another embodiment ofthe reusable drinking cup lid stopper of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is substantially perspective view of still yet another embodimentof the reusable drinking cup lid stopper of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is substantially perspective view showing one possible embodimentof a stopper retention device.

FIG. 7 is substantially a cutaway perspective view showing one possibleembodiment of a combination of the reusable drinking cup lid stopper andstopper retention device of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is substantially perspective view of another embodiment of acombination of the and stopper retention device of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 is substantially a closeup cutaway perspective view showing acombination of the reusable drinking cup lid stopper and stopperretention device in use with a lidded drinking cup.

FIG. 10 is substantially a perspective view of the present invention inuse with a drinking cup removably enclosed by a cup lid with the stopperretention device's clasp laying upon the cup lid.

FIG. 11 is substantially showing a flowchart for a process or method foroperating the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments,reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part ofthis application. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specificembodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to beunderstood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changesmay be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The present invention 40 could comprise a reusable drinking cup lidstopper 40 and a method 100 for same. As substantially shown in FIGS. 6,7, 8, 9,and 10, the present invention 10 may further comprise a stopperretention device 54 that works in combination with the reusable drinkingcup lid stopper 40. As substantially shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5, thereusable drinking cup lid stopper 40 could comprise a stopper body 44forming a grasping body end 46 and a plug body end 48. In at least oneversion, the stopper body 44 could be made of suitable material such asresin such as an organic or plant-based resin that could bebiodegradable. The grasping body end 46 may be further configured toform a handle 50 which may be grasped by a consumer (not shown) tomanipulate the reusable drinking cup lid stopper 4o, such as toremovably place into or remove the reusable drinking cup lid stopper 40from to the sipping aperture 28 (as substantially shown in FIGS. 9 and10). In one embodiment, the handle 50 may further form a decorative ordesign element, or novelty form such as a figurine, partial figurine orthe like. Such a design element may enhance the consumer's desire forthe reusable drinking cup lid stopper 42 and may aid in the consumer'sretention and multi-use of the invention 40.

One version of the invention 10 may further comprise at least onedouble-open-ended retention aperture. One such double-open-endedretention aperture could be a first retention aperture 52 that piercesthrough the handle 50 to allow a stopper retention device 54, such as akey chain or like, could comprise a clasp 60 and a fob 62 (e.g., a keyring) combination (as substantially shown in FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and 10) to beremovably attached to the reusable drinking cup lid stopper 42 togenerally allow the consumer (not shown) to retain and hold onto theinvention 10 when in non-use. Such a combination of the stopperretention device 54 and reusable drinking cup lid stopper 42 could beconsidered a safety feature or device to prevent a small item such asthe reusable drinking cup lid stopper 42, due to reusable drinking cuplid stopper's overall size, from being a possible choke or ingestionhazard to a child.

As substantially shown in FIGS. 2, 8, 9 and 10, the handle 50 coulddefine the first retention aperture 52 whose location and engagement ofthe stopper retention device 54 could allow the stopper retention device54 to be continuously and removably combined with the reusable drinkingcup lid stopper 42 while the reusable drinking cup lid stopper 42removably engages the sipping aperture 28.

The plug body end 48 may form a tab projection 56 that may be configuredto allow the tab projection 56 to be removably retained by friction fitand to substantially removably seal or plug the sipping aperture 28.Generally, the length of the tab projection 56 could being significantlyless than the length of the elongated stirrer portion 34. As such thelength of the tab projection 56 is the tab projection 56 such thatduring use, would generally not be contacting the liquid 24 (assubstantially shown in FIGS. 1 and 9) inside the drinking cup. Thelength of the tab projection 56 could prevent the tab projection 56 frombeing effectively used as a stirrer 30 (as substantially shown in FIG.1.)

The tab projection 56 may be configured to removably engage sippingapertures 28 of different shapes and sizes. One such tab projectionconfiguration could further comprise feathered splines 59 (substantiallyshown in FIG. 2) projecting out from the tab projection sides toremovably engage the various sized and shaped sipping apertures 28.

In other embodiments, the tab projection 56 may further define anotherdouble-open-ended retention aperture or a second retaining aperture 58(as substantially shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 7) in combination with oralternatively to the first retaining aperture 52. The second retentionaperture 58 may pierce through the tab projection 56 to allow a stopperretention device 54 to be removably attached to the reusable drinkingcup lid stopper 42 to allow the consumer (not shown) to retain and holdonto the invention 40 when the stopper retention device 54 is innon-use. The location of the second retention aperture 58 couldgenerally require the operator or consumer (not shown) to disengage thestopper retention device 54 from the tab projection 56 before thereusable drinking cup lid stopper 42 could be used to removably engagethe respective sipping aperture 28.

In another embodiment, as substantially shown in FIG. 4, the reusabledrinking cup lid stopper 40 could feature both a first and secondretaining apertures 52, 58. In yet another embodiment, as substantiallyshown in FIG. 5, the reusable drinking cup lid stopper 40 may featureneither a first retaining aperture 52 nor a second retaining aperture58.

As substantially shown in FIG. 6, one possible embodiment of the stopperretention device 54 could comprise an openable clasp 60 connected to afob 62 (e.g., a key ring). The openable clasp 60 could comprise a clasphook 64 protruding from a clasp body 66 with an open-end clasp portion68 of the clasp hook 64 could be removably connected otherwise to theclasp body 64 by a spring-biased clasp lever 70 pivotally attached tothe clasp body 64. The open-end clasp portion 68 could have a portiondiameter that is smaller than a first retention aperture diameter, thesecond retention aperture diameter or both. In this manner, the firstretention aperture 52, second retention aperture 58 or both could becapable of removably accepting the open-end clasp portion 68 toremovably connect to the reusable drinking cup lid stopper 42 to thestopper retention device 54 to form a combination (said combinationcould be stored in an operator's or consumer's clothing pocket [notshown] when in non-use.)

Method or Process of Use

As substantially shown in FIG. 11, the method or process 100 ofoperating the invention 40 could start with step 102, procuring theinvention. The operator could select a pleasing reusable drinking cuplid stopper based on the handle displaying an ornamental or noveltydesign, color, translucent and other suitable factors. To make thereusable drinking cup lid stopper larger overall and harder to misplaceor lose when not in use, the stopper could be removably attached to thestopper retention device. This combination of reusable drinking cup lidstopper and stopper retention device could further effectively work as achild safety device by substantially preventing a child from ingestingor choking upon the generally small stopper body.

In this manner, the clasp could be opened to allow the open-end claspportion of the clasp hook to removably engage a first or secondretention aperture. The clasp could be then closed to removably securevia the spring biased pivotally attached lever to substantially andremovably combine the reusable drinking cup lid stopper with the stopperretention device. Once this step is substantially completed, the process110 could proceed to step 104, procuring the drink.

In step 104, procuring a drink, the operator could go to drink purveyoror other restaurant establishment (e.g., coffee shop, juice bar or thelike) or while at home select a drink to take outside or fortransporting over a distance. The drink could be poured into suitabledrinking cup with a removable cup lid. As needed or desired, drinkadditives (e.g., creamers, sweeteners, taste enhancers and the like)could be selected and added to the drink and stirred. In certaininstances, the removable cup lid could have a sipping aperture along anedge or rim of the removable cup lid. Once this step is substantiallycompleted the process 100 could proceed to step 106, applying theinvention to removable cup lid.

At step 106, applying the invention to removable cup lid, the operatorcould retrieve the invention combination of the reusable drinking cuplid stopper and retention device from the consumer's storage space(e.g., a pocket, purse, backpack or alike where the consumer stores thesaid combination when not in use.) For the combination utilizing thefirst retention aperture, the clasp does not need to be released fromthe reusable drinking cup lid stopper to be applied to the removabledrinking lid if so desired. The tab projection may be directly insertedinto the sipping aperture to removably plug and other generally seal thesipping aperture and prevent spillage of the drink. The fob may bedraped upon and be support by the removable cup lid as the drinking cupis carried by the operator.

In another embodiment using the second retention aperture, thecombination of reusable drinking cup lid stopper and the stopperretention device could have the clasp be removed from the tab projectionby moving the clasp lever away from the open-end clasp portion andsliding the tab projection off of the open-end clasp portion. The tabprojection may then be inserted into the sipping aperture to removablyplug the sipping aperture and prevent spillage of the drink (e.g.,consumable liquid) from the drinking cup. The stopper retention devicemay be replaced in the consumer's storage space from which the inventioncombination was originally retrieved.

For yet another embodiment of the invention lacking both and first andsecond retention apertures, the reusable drinking cup lid stopper couldbe retrieved from a consumer's storage space and be directly removablyinserted in the sipping aperture of the cup lid.

In at least one embodiment, the tab projection may have side splinesthat movably engage the edge of the sipping aperture to help removablyhold the tab projection in place in the respective sipping aperture.These side splines may help the tab projection removably engage a widevarieties of sipping apertures of different sizes and shapes. These sidesplines may be in addition to or in replacement of the fiction fit usedto removably hold the projection tab within the sipping aperture.

When a drinking cup, covered by a removable lid, contains a drink, theapplication of the stopper to the sipping aperture and a subsequentswirling of the drinking cup could mix the drink inside without the needof a stirrer. The placed stopper keeps the drink from sloshing out ofthrough the sipping aperture.

The reusable drinking cup lid stopper maybe removed from the removablecup lid by the consumer to allow sipping of the drink and could bereplaced according. After the consumption of the drink, the reusabledrinking cup lid stopper may be permanently removed from the removablelid before the drinking cup and removable cup lid are suitably disposed.If invention attaches to the stopper retention device to the firstretention aperture, the stopper retention device and reusable drinkingcup lid stopper combination may be replaced in the operator's storageplace from which the combination was originally retrieved.

If the reusable drinking cup lid stopper uses a second retentionaperture, the stopper retention device may be retrieved from theoperator's storage place, the open-end clasp portion may reengage thetab projection to form the invention combination of the reusabledrinking cup lid stopper and stopper retention device. The inventioncombination may then be placed back in the operator's storage place.

CONCLUSION

Although the description above contains many specifications, theseshould not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but asmerely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferredembodiments of this invention. Thus, the scope of the invention shouldbe determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents ratherthan by the examples given.

What is claimed is:
 1. A reusable stopper for removably engaging asipping aperture in a drinking cup lid comprising: a stopper body havingtwo body ends, a grasping body end that forms a handle and plug body endthat forms a tab projection; the stopper body further forms at least onedouble open-ended aperture; wherein the handle is configured to allow anoperator to securely grasp and manipulate the reusable stopper; whereinthe tab projection is configured to removably seal the sipping aperture;wherein the double open-ended aperture is configured to removably engagea stopper retention device.
 2. The reusable stopper of claim 1 whereinthe reusable stopper and a stopper retention device, form a reusablestopper and a stopper retention combination, the said combination isconfigured to otherwise reduce the likelihood of a loss of the reusablestopper by the operator.
 3. The reusable stopper of claim 2 wherein thedouble open-ended aperture is located on the stopper body to allow thesaid formed combination to be removably attached to the sippingaperture.
 4. The reusable stopper of claim 2 wherein the formedcombination is further configured to be a child safety device.
 5. Thereusable stopper of claim 4 wherein the overall size of the formedcombination provides the configuration need to allow the formedcombination to be a child safety device.
 6. The reusable stopper ofclaim 4 wherein the handle forms a first double open-ended aperture andthe tab projection forms a second double-open aperture.
 7. The reusablestopper of claim 2 wherein the handle further forms the doubleopen-ended aperture.
 8. The reusable stopper of claim 1 wherein thehandle further forms a figurine or a portion of a figurine.
 9. Thereusable stopper of claim 1 wherein the tab projection forms the doubleopen-ended aperture.
 10. The reusable stopper of claim 1 wherein the tabprojection is configured to removably engage and seal a variety of drinkapertures having different sizes and configurations.
 11. The reusablestopper of claim 1 further comprising a stopper retention device, thestopper retention device comprises a clasp connected to a fob, the claspremovably engages the stopper body to form a stopper retention deviceand reusable stopper combination, the said configuration is furtherconfigured to be a child safety device.
 12. The reusable stopper ofclaim 11, wherein the said formed combination when attached to sippingaperture presents a least a portion of the stopper retention device to atop of the drinking cup lid.
 13. A method of removably sealing a drinkaperture of a removable lid of a drinking cup comprising of thefollowing steps: (A) providing a reusable stopper for removably sealinga sipping aperture in a drinking cup lid, the reusable stopper having astopper body having two body ends, a grasping body end that forms ahandle and plug body end that forms a tab projection, the stopper bodyfurther forms a double open-ended aperture, wherein the handle isconfigured to allow an operator to securely grasp and manipulate thereusable stopper; wherein the tab projection is configured to removablyseal the sipping aperture; wherein the double open-ended aperture isconfigured to removably engage a stopper retention device; (B) providinga removable drink cup lid, the lid forming a sipping aperture; and (C)removably engaging the tab projection with the sipping aperture.
 14. Themethod of claim 13 further comprising a step of providing a stopperretention device, the stopper retention device further configured toremovably attach to the double open-ended aperture.
 15. The method ofclaim 14 further comprises a step of forming a combination of thestopper retention device and the reusable stopper.
 16. The method ofclaim 15 wherein the step of forming a combination further comprises astep of presenting at least a portion of the stopper retention deviceupon a top of the removable cup lid when the said combination isremovably engaged to the sipping aperture.
 17. The method of claim 14wherein a step of forming a combination of the stopper retention deviceand the reusable stopper further comprises a step of forming a childsafety device.
 18. The method of claim 14 wherein the stopper retentiondevice further comprises a clasp connects to a fob, wherein the claspremovably engages the double open-ended aperture.
 19. The method ofclaim 13 wherein the handle forms the double open-ended aperture. 20.The method of claim 13 wherein the tab projection forms the doubleopen-ended aperture.